Improved mode of carrying knapsacks



we am tile-imi tatea WALTER CLIFFORD, OF HOLLY SPRINGS, MlSSISSIPPI.' l Letters Patent No. 83,762, dated November 3, 1868.

IMPOVED MODE OF CARRYING KNAPSACKS.

` The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

Figure l represents the shoulder-springs, belt, and

appurtenances Figure 2, the shoulder-springs without the belt; and

Figures 3 and 4, the device as worn and used.

Similar letters of referenceindidate corresponding parts.

The nature of my invention consists in two shouldersplings, of metal or its equivalent, padded and covered with leather, and so formed as to fit over each shoulder down`to theV waist of thewearer. These springs are held in positioirby a waist-belt and suitable bands and thongs. To the top of the shoulder-springs is secured, by rivets or otherwise, one or more strong, light buckle-straps, to which the knapsack is strapped, so that the weight of the burden rests almost entirely upon the shoulders, and acts as a brace for them, and instead of making the wearer round-shouldered and at-chested, as the modes of carrying knapsacks now in use do, it will have an eiect entirely opposite, keeping the carrier erect, and the chest thrown forward, allowing the lungs to have full play, and furthermore, the action ofthe arms are not impeded, and by bringing the cartridge-boxes on the belt to the fronteof the body, the weight of the knapsacl will he so well balanced that the belt can be4 worn, when desired, unbuckled, without danger, of the knapsack falling oi.

In the accompanying drawings,

A A are the shoulder-springs, reaching from the waist-belt B, in front, up and over the shoulders, and down to the waist-belt behind.

a a are the buckle-straps, to which the knapsaok is attached.

b b are slides placed on the waist-belt B,- between the cartridge-boxes y g, to which the shoulder-springs are attached by means of the thongs d d. The shouldersprings are held inl position at the small of the lback by the buckle-strap e, which can be lengthened er shortened to snit the wearer.

That I claim as my invention, and desire to by Letters Patent, is-

A device for carrying lrnapsacks, composed of the padded shoulder-springs A, back-brace e, belt B, slides b b, and thongs d d, when combined, constructed, and applied as herein shown and described.

WALTER CLIFFORD.

SeCllle Witnesses:

RUFUs GHOATE, JOHN POWER. 

